306 2.0 HDI - advice

[NOSE]

Hi guys, just thought i'd throw this out for your views, opinions and advice. I'm off to see Meridian estate with only 68k on the clock (which in itself is a rare thing!) apart from the obvious, anything you'd make a point of checking in particular on these cars boys and girls? Also - obviously dependent on condition, where do you value it. Thanks in advance all.


   cheers  

[Redordead89]

Just put 60k on a hdi estate in the past couple of years! Crackin little cars!
Rear brakes! handbrake as cables always seize in to bracket on calliper which also seizes, if the car raises up on only one side after u apply the handbrake then one of the rear callipers is goosed!
When u start it and start getting up to temp have the heater on high temp but low fan speed on the windscreen to check for steam or greasy marks on the inside lower screen for matrix issues, check all fan speeds work too! If the carpet is pulling away from the door seal rubber strip on either side the chances are its had or is having wet footwell syndrome from leaking doors or heater matrix leaking! (dash out job)
exhaust hangers and exhaust are worth checking properly!
Get down and dirty and get under the spare wheel area and lift the car with your hands ( engine off before the car gets started and the exhaust gets hot obvs) listen to the rear beam for squeaks and creaks while you lift and drop the car.( handbrake on and then do it again with the handbrake off!
Check the clutch well as their not cheap to have done!
Engine wise not too much to worry about as long as oil, temp and coolants check out ok!
Rear wiper and tailgate lock mech often become knackered due to failed tailgate struts slamming the boot down so check the tailgate locked and unlocked!
Check all keys fit all locks!
If there's history with the car make sure you get it or badger the seller for weeks until you do!
How dirty is the outside of the oil filter?? If it's bad it ain't been serviced regularly (common on these as their such good cheap run til u die workhorses :-( )
if you can be arsed check the vin!
Finally I would try haggle the seller to the lower end of £350-£500 as that's realistic for a 15 year old 306
But and it is a BIG BUUUUUUT if you haven't owned one of these already go buy it as cheap as you can and enjoy one of the best wee do it all ( single mattress fits in the back nfp) estates made in recent times! Then tune it and have some fun ;-)

[ozonehostile]

The inlet elbow on the inlet manifold nearly always leaks on hdi engines, look for oily build up around this area. New gasket from Peugeot is 80p or so but still a good haggling point as its a boost leak that'll need to be fixed.

Also check the rear beam for different amounts of negative camber of each side as this is a sign of collapsed bearings inside, happens to most 306s so low mileage is still no reason not to be looking out for beam failure.

Brake condition is always a good haggling point, look for lips on the edges of the discs and check the inside face for rust buildup , easy way to knock a few quid off if it needs new discs and pads . Pretty much everything else has been covered above

[Frosty]

With it being an estate get the n/s rear jacked up and check in the arch for rust where they all seem to go. A very common thing on the estates now there getting on a few years

[NOSE]

ok, many thanks guys. 

[procta]

also the basic 306 checks, bag a good one, and your laughing!